India’s Sporting Reforms: Transforming India’s Sports Administration
by Nidhish Mehrotra (Managing Partner), Samyak Surana (Principal Associate), Umang Sheth (Senior Associate), and Raashi Vaishya (Associate)
India has taken a historic step towards transforming its sports governance framework with the enactment of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 (“NSG Act”), which received presidential assent alongside the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Act, 2025 (“NADA Act”) on 18th August 18, 2025.1
The NSG Act and the NADA Act (collectively, “Sports Legislations”) were introduced in the Lok Sabha on 23rd July 2025, by the Union Sports Minister Shri. Mansukh Mandaviya. The Sports Legislations were passed by both houses of Parliament within a span of 3 (three) weeks – the Lok Sabha on 11th August 2025 and the Rajya Sabha on 12th August 2025. Having received presidential assent and officially becoming law, the Sports Legislations shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may appoint by notification in the Official Gaze.
A. Brief Overview of the NSG Act
The NSG Act represents a comprehensive legislative framework designed to regulate and modernize sports administration in India. It builds upon the National Sports Policy 2025 (Khelo Bharat Niti 2025) and replaces the existing National Sports Development Code of 2011, which lacked statutory backing and consistent implementation.2 The NSG Act also forms a key part of India’s broader reform agenda, which shall also strengthen India’s position for a potential 2036 Summer Olympics bid.
As noted by the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri. Mansukh Mandaviya, this overhaul marks the single biggest reform of India’s sports administration framework since independence.3 Among other things, the NSG Act establishes new institutional mechanisms for oversight of National Sports Federations (“NSFs”), introduces National Sports Tribunal to adjudicate sports related disputes, and brings most sports bodies under public accountability frameworks.
The NSG Act was shaped through extensive stakeholder consultations, including with the Indian Olympic Association, international federations such as International Olympic Committee (“IOC”), FIFA, FIVB, and World Athletics, and key government ministries.
We have summarized certain key provisions of the NSG Act below.
B. Key Provisions and Institutional Framework:
Establishment of National Sports Bodies:
The Act provides for the creation of statutory sports governance bodies including the National Olympic Committee (NOC), National Paralympic Committee (NPC), and National and Regional Sports Federations for each designated sport. These bodies will maintain with the corresponding international federation, and they also maintain affiliate units at state and district levels4.
Every National Sports Body is mandated to establish a General Body5 and an Executive Committee (“EC”)6 with up to 15 members, including at least two sportspersons of merit and four women, ensuring athlete participation and gender balance. The General Body must have equal representation from affiliate members and ex-officio positions. EC members must meet eligibility norms under the NSG Act, including age limits (20 year to 70 years, extendable to 75 if permitted by international federation statutes7), and compliance with international rules on age and term limits. Each body must also constitute Ethics, Athletes, and Dispute Resolution Committees, a Grievance Redressal Mechanism, and adopt a Code of Ethics with safeguards against abuse of authority.8
Establishment of National Sports Board:
The NSG Act establishes a National Sports Board (“NSB”) as the central regulatory authority with powers to oversee all NSFs. The NSB, consisting of a chairperson and prescribed number of members appointed by the central government, shall inter alia:
- Grant or renew recognition of sporting organisations9;
- Revoke recognition of NSFs which inter alia fail to conduct fair elections, mismanage funds, or commit gross irregularities10;
- Conduct inquiries in matters affecting the welfare of sportspersons, the development of sports in the country, or misuse of public funds11;
- Frame a comprehensive Safe Sports Policy for the protection and safety of women and minor athletes and such other persons12;
- Enforce compliance with the Code of Ethics and Safe Sports Policy by the National Sports Bodies13;
- Collaborate with the International Sports Bodies and National Sports Bodies for the development of sports and welfare of athletes in India14;
- Issue guidelines to the National Sports Bodies for ensuring compliance with the international standards and best practices of the Olympic and sports movement15;
Take measures to ensure the protection of the rights and welfare of athletes and support personnel.16
Establishment of National Sports Tribunal:
A dedicated quasi-judicial body, i.e., a National Sports Tribunal (“NST”), has been established to adjudicate sports-related disputes, aimed at providing independent, speedy, effective and cost-efficient resolution, compared to traditional court proceedings in India.
The NST, consisting of a chairperson (who must be a sitting or former Judge of the Supreme Court or the Chief Justice of a High Court), and 2 other members (who are persons of eminence with extensive knowledge and experience in sports, public administration, and law17), will have powers equivalent to a civil court.18 It can also formulate its own procedures and disposal timelines for cases.19 The chairperson and members will be appointed by the Central Government based on recommendations from a Search-cum-Selection Committee.20
The Tribunal’s jurisdiction covers athlete selection disputes, federation elections, and governance matters, with appeals lying only to the Supreme Court, except where international rules require appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.21 However, it does not have jurisdiction over disputes arising during major international sports events such as the Olympics or Commonwealth Games, internal disputes of National Sports Bodies, doping-related cases handled by specialized panels, or any disputes exclusively assigned to other courts or international sports tribunals.22
Establishment of National Sports Election Panel:
The National Sports Election Panel (“NSEL”) is a body specially constituted by the Central Government, upon recommendation of the NSB23, for overseeing the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections in the ECs and Athlete Committees of the National Sports Bodies.24 It comprises experienced persons such as retired Chief Election Commissioners, Election Commissioners, among others, all having substantial expertise in conducting elections under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.25 The NSB is required to maintain a roster of the National Sports Election Panel in the prescribed manner.26 National Sports Bodies and their affiliate units may appoint electoral officers from this roster to administer their internal election processes for ensuring free and fair elections.27
Applicability of Right to Information Act, 2005:
The NSG Act mandates comprehensive transparency measures by bringing recognized sports organizations receiving government funding under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. Accordingly, NSFs that receive government funding are classified as ‘public authorities’ under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (“RTI”), thereby subject to disclosure obligations. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (“BCCI”), although being recognized as an NSF, remains exempt as it doesn’t receive direct government assistance.28
Central Government’s Power to Issue Directions:
The NSG Act empowers the central government to issue directions to the NSB or other entities for efficient administration of the NSG Act, and even restrict participation of national teams or athletes in international events under “extraordinary circumstances” such as national security or public order concerns.29
Use of National Names and Insignia:
Any sports organisation desirous of using the word “India” or “Indian” or “National” or any national insignia or symbols in any language in its registered name, operating name, logo or otherwise in its affairs must obtain a no-objection certificate from the Central Government for such use.30 It also provides immunity for officials of the NSB, NST and National Sporting Bodies for acting “in good faith”.31
C. Points of Reflection
The NSG Act raises constitutional concerns over Parliament’s competence to legislate on sports, traditionally under the State List (Entry 33). While it cites Article 25332 to align with Olympic/Paralympic Charters, it is pertinent to note that the NSG Act neither implements a treaty nor clearly fits within the ambit of “decisions of an international body,” especially for non-Olympic sports like Chess, Kho Kho, or eSports.
Further, while international frameworks such as the Olympic Charter mandate that sports bodies remain free from political or external interference33, the NSG Act empowers the central government and the National Sports Board to issue directions and conduct inquiries into federations’ functioning.34 This may compromise the Olympic Charter’s requirement for federation autonomy from “political, legal, religious or economic pressures”.
The NSG Act does not prescribe penalties such as imprisonment or fines; instead, it relies on regulatory and administrative sanctions to enforce compliance. The NSB is empowered to suspend or withdraw recognition of federations, appoint ad-hoc committees in cases of governance failures, and subject bodies receiving public funds to RTI and audit scrutiny. Oversight of elections is ensured through a National Sports Election Panel, while disputes are addressed by the National Sports Tribunal, which has civil court powers and binding authority. Thus, the NSG Act emphasizes accountability through institutional checks, de-recognition, and corrective governance measures rather than punitive criminal provisions
Lastly, the NSG Act introduces a National Sports Tribunal to handle “sports-related disputes,” but does not appear to clearly define the scope of its jurisdiction, apart from carving out certain exclusions. This broad phrasing could trigger uncertainty over what falls within its remit and may also lead to interpretational challenges and overlap with existing forums.
D. Key Takeaways
The NSG Act represents a watershed moment in Indian sports administration, establishing for the first time a comprehensive legal framework for sports governance. At its core, it seeks to address long-standing key structural deficiencies in Indian sports governance including factionalism, lack of transparency, delayed dispute resolution, inadequate athlete representation, and mismanagement of funds. By creating statutory bodies with clear mandates and accountability frameworks, the NSG Act provides stability in the Indian sports governance.
The NSG Act presently is athlete-centric, focusing on welfare measures for sportspersons, ethical practices based on Olympic and Paralympic Charter principles, and the establishment of mechanisms for grievance redressal and dispute resolution. Its timing is also strategically significant as India prepares to bid for hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics, necessitating a robust and transparent sports governance framework that meets international standards. The legislation also aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming India into a sporting superpower as part of the broader Viksit Bharat 2047 mission.
However, the NSG Act’s ultimate success hinges on implementation quality rather than legislative provisions alone. This depends on the National Sports Board’s independence and protection from political capture. Constitutional challenges regarding the central government’s legislative competence over sports administration may arise, given opposition arguments about State versus Central jurisdiction.
Nevertheless, this legislation provides a solid foundation for transforming Indian sports governance and potentially unlocking the country’s vast sporting potential, particularly as India prepares for its 2036 Olympic aspirations. The true test will accordingly be whether the Act succeeds in creating a governance culture that genuinely prioritizes athlete welfare and sporting excellence over administrative convenience and political considerations.
Footnotes
[1] See: https://yas.gov.in/sites/default/files/National%20Sports%20Governance%20Act%2C%202025.pdf.
[2] Feedback/ Comments on the Report, if any, can be submitted here.
[3] See: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/lok-sabha-passes-sports-bill-sports-minister-mansukh-mandaviya-calls-it-single-biggest-sports-reform-since-independence/articleshow/123234971.cms.
[4] Sections 3(3), (4), and (5) of the NSG Act.
[5] Section 4(a) of the NSG Act.
[6] Section 4(a) of the NSG Act.
[7] Provisos to Section 4(2) of the NSG Act.
[8] Section 12(4) of the NSG Act.
[9] Section 6(a) of the NSG Act.
[10] Section 10 of the NSG Act.
[11] Section 6(c) of the NSG Act.
[12] Section 13 of the NSG Act.
[13] Section 6(e) and (f) of the NSG Act.
[14] Section 6(h) of the NSG Act.
[15] Ibid.
[16] Section 6(i) of the NSG Act.
[17] Section 6(i) of the NSG Act.
[18] Section 6(i) of the NSG Act.
[19] Section 17 (9) of the NSG Act.
[20] Section 17(4) of the NSG Act.
[21] Section 25 of the NSG Act.
[22] Section 20 of the NSG Act.
[23] Section 16(1) of the NSG Act.
[24] Section 16(2) of the NSG Act.
[25] Ibid.
[26] Sections 16(3) of the NSG Act.
[27] Sections 16(5) and (6) of the NSG Act.
[28] See: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/bcci-under-rti-cricket-governance-sports-bill-10181168/; https://www.firstpost.com/sports/national-sports-governance-bill-2025-bcci-escaping-rti-act-and-other-key-takeaways-from-landmark-act-13923565.html.
[29] Section 35 of the NSG Act.
[30] Section 27 of the NSG Act.
[31] Section 36 of the NSG Act.
[32] Article 253 of the Constitution gives Parliament powers to make laws to implement any treaty, agreement, or convention with any other country(ies), or any decision made at any international conference, association, or body.
[33] Article 27.6, Olympic Charter, International Olympic Committee, https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Documents/International-Olympic-Committee/IOC-Publications/EN-Olympic-Charter.pdf.
[34] Section 35 of the NSG Act.
